Senior Optical Engineer, R&D

About the Role

Join a defense technology team developing autonomous directed-energy systems. You will lead optical design and investigations for hardware platforms, applying strong optical judgment to help deliver robust systems beyond the lab.

What You'll Do

• Lead optical design and analysis for core system components.

• Drive optical investigations, trade studies, and system-level design decisions.

• Specify and evaluate optical components and subsystem architectures.

• Partner with mechanical engineers on optical packaging, housing, and integration.

• Perform tolerance analysis, validate performance, and guide design iterations.

• Lead or support alignment, characterization, and testing of integrated optical systems.

• Work with vendors and fabricators on manufacturability, tolerancing, and component feasibility.

• Establish practical approaches for optical development, validation, and technical documentation.

What We're Looking For

• Typically 5 to 10 or more years of senior-level experience in optical engineering, optical design, or related physics-based systems work.

• Demonstrated experience designing and analyzing optical systems built and operated as real hardware, including precision alignment, characterization, and hardware debugging.

• Ability to apply optical theory from first principles and lead investigations that inform system-level decisions.

• Experience with optical components and subsystem architectures, vendor collaboration, tolerance analysis, and performance validation.

• Experience collaborating with mechanical engineers on packaging, housing, and integration.

• Relevant experience may include high-power laser optics, ruggedized beam delivery, beam directors, collimators, fast steering mirrors, adaptive optics, or laser communications terminals.

• Experience with Zemax/OpticStudio or Code V, and 1-micron Yb fiber laser systems, is valuable.

• BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary: $150,000 to $200,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Location

On-site in San Francisco, California.